Waukon City Council addresses Park and Recreation concerns during special session, Bresnahan property and other matters in regular session

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, August 19 the Waukon City Council met with several former and current residents of Town and Country Trailer Court who have experienced unforeseen difficulties after having their trailers moved to other locations.
One trailer owner reported that his trailer had been extensively damaged during the move and that he has been without water and sewer services for two weeks. He and others also reported delays in getting electrical service hooked up to their trailers following the move due to recent changes in the state electrical code. Others reported that they had been having trouble finding contractors willing to do the work to connect their utilities and that many of those contractors insist on up-front payment for their services.
The Council authorized Zoning Administrator Al Lyon to pay up to $1,000 for emergency utility hook-ups and directed him to contact a plumber to see that water and sewer services are immediately connected to the trailer of the gentleman who has gone without those services for two weeks. The Council also encouraged the residents to immediately report any further problems to Lyon.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell reported that a broken sanitary sewer line had been discovered during inspection of the city's storm sewers. Lyle TeKippe of TeKippe Engineering said that the damaged line had been repaired but that further repairs would be necessary to ensure that the sanitary line would not be damaged again. The Council authorized the additional repairs.
In other flood-related matters, Zoning Administrator Lyon reported that he had spoken with Don Fruechte, owner of Video Connection and Dave's Vacs on Main Street, businesses that were heavily damaged during flooding this spring. The sidewalk in front of those businesses was also damaged and is in need of immediate repair, but Lyon said that Fruechte could not afford the cost of those repairs. The Council authorized Lyon to skip the usual procedure - to send a nuisance notice and wait for a reply before the City does the work and adds the cost to the property owner's tax bill - and simply have the work done and assess the cost to Fruechte's property taxes.
The Council also approved plans and specifications, form of contract and notice to bidders for repairs to the storm sewers and intakes at the intersection of First Avenue and 12th Street in the Northgate subdivision.
Mayor Loren Beneke reported that representatives of FEMA would arrive this Thursday to help the City determine what flood-related costs could be reimbursed - including overtime pay, equipment use and mitigation projects. He encouraged all department heads to have records of flood-related expenses available.

BRESNAHAN PROPERTY
City Attorney Jim Garrett updated the Council on the Bresnahan property condemnation and the related lawsuit filed against the City by Luana Savings Bank. Garrett said that he had reached an agreement with the bank's attorneys to avoid a trial in that case, noting that the condemnation proceeding is scheduled for August 27. Following that proceeding, Garrett said that the City will make whatever payment the Condemnation Board deems fair and the property will be immediately conveyed to the City. The Council approved the agreement.
Councilman Dave Sanderson reported that he and Councilman Trent Mitchell had spoken with the Bresnahans, who had suggested that they would donate the land required for a storm retention basin if the City would consider relocating the basin away from the football field.
Garrett advised the Council not to interrupt condemnation process at this late date, noting that the City could always convey the property back to the Bresnahans if an agreement could be reached. The Council agreed to take no action on the Bresnahans' offer, but Councilman Joe Cunnigham said that he would be willing to work with them on the specific plans for a retention basin.
Garrett also advised the Council that a bond referendum may be necessary to secure the necessary funds for the construction of a new fire station that the Fire Board has determined will be necessary to house new equipment. Councilman Cunningham said that the likely location for the new station, which would cost an estimated $500,000 to construct, would be in the industrial park on the west side of town. Mayor Beneke said that the public would need to be educated about the need for the new facility prior to a bond referendum, which could be scheduled as early as late February or early March of next year.

SPECIAL SESSION DISCUSSES PARK AND RECREATION CONCERNS
Prior to its regular meeting, the Council met in special session with members of the Waukon Park and Recreation Board, during which Councilman Mitchell said that he had received numerous complaints about conditions at the park - lack of light bulbs in the shelter houses, dirty bathrooms without toilet paper and weeds along the trails. Mitchell said that with four people working 40 hours per week at the park, these things should be getting done.
Councilman John Ellingson said that there should be some accountability of what park employees do. Mitchell agreed, saying that the problem starts with supervision.
Park and Recreation Director Jeff Snitker asked why he only hears about such complaints during public meetings, stating that such complaints should be directed through the proper channels.
Councilman Ellingson noted that all City departments, the Park and Recreation Department included, lack personnel policies, resulting in a lack of consistency in dealing with employees. He encouraged the Park Board to develop policies for employee discipline, hiring and firing.
Ellingson also asked that the Board examine its overall vision about Park and Recreation programs with regard to whether such programs should be designed to be competitive or inclusive. He said that his personal opinion is that any programs funded by the City should be designed to be inclusive, that is, not competitive to the extent that every child is not able to participate. He cited the Waukon Swim Club as an example, stating that it should be made clear that the club is competitive and that it should be clear who is in charge of the program - the swim club parents or the Park and Recreation employees.
Ellingson also pointed out that the Park and Recreation Department accounts for approximately 35% of the City's general fund budget, which is funded by property taxes. He suggested that fees for kids from out of town should be slightly higher in order to be fair to city taxpayers. He also noted that the Park and Recreation Department does generate some revenue, but that some efforts should be made to eliminate expenses, citing as an example the profitability of alcohol sales versus the liability such sales create for the City.
Councilman Cunningham suggested that the Park and Recreation Board seek a balance between the competitive and inclusive aspects of its programs. He also pointed out that the parents of the children who participate in Waukon's Park and Recreation programs spend money at city businesses, which also generates revenue for the City.
The Council and Park Board members also discussed the soccer fields, which remain unusable. Ellingson said that the fields would come around, but recognized that it is hard to wait to see the desired results.